HOTELS : What was the biggest pivot you made as a manager in the past three years ? Abby Murtagh : I have become laser-focused on making team members our number one priority . Placing our core objectives squarely around the team member , followed by our guests and owners . Without a robust , engaged , and developing team we simply can ’ t achieve our goals of being the best resort possible for our guests or drive returns for ownership .
H : How are your previous experiences serving you right now ? Can you offer an example ? AM : My experience in food and beverage is paying off in spades right now . After a long period of limited or zero dining experiences , guests are back with a vigorous appetite for food and beverage , excellent service , and experiences that have significance . Flimsy concepts that have no meaning are a thing of the past . Even if
MY BIGGEST INFLUENCES ARE THOSE WHO LOOK BEYOND THE QUARTERLY STRATEGIES AND UNDERSTAND THAT INVESTMENT IN FOOD AND BEVERAGE , LANDSCAPING , AMENITIES , EXPERIENCES ARE WHAT DEFINES A LUXURY RESORT PROPERTY .
– ABBY MURTAGH guests don ’ t totally get the depth put in to designing a concept , there are a million little decisions that end up coming to life in the dining experience . This is what guests want now . Exciting and well executed restaurant and bar experiences can generate occupancy and ensure return visits by locals . H : Who have been the biggest influences in your hotel career ? AM : I have several mentors who think differently and deeply about the hospitality business . My biggest influences are those who look beyond the quarterly strategies and understand that investment in food and beverage , landscaping , amenities , and experiences are what defines a luxury resort property .
I learned about deep-rooted restaurant concepts and not taking shortcuts from Karim Lakhani , EVP of food and beverage at Northwood Hospitality . Debi Bishop , managing director of Hilton Waikoloa and Hilton Hawaiian Village taught me about leading through culture and making it work on the P & L . John Ceriale , founder and CEO at Prospect Advisors , is teaching me about design and landscaping , and why it is truly a differentiator in luxury resorts . My career has been shaped by creative people and I continue to learn and seek mentors who can broaden my views .
H : What and who is inspiring you now , and where do you look for it ? AM : Emily Goldfischer , the founder and editor-inchief of Hertelier . Emily started Hertelier as an online platform from nothing , with nothing but an idea about connecting , supporting and nurturing women in hospitality at every stage of their career . What I love about Hertelier is that the interviews and conversations are unfiltered and real , and at the same time the content is top of the line . The weekly Hertelier newsletter is jam packed with both information and inspiration . I always find something interesting to forward to friends and colleagues .
H : Who taught you your biggest lesson , and what was it ? AM : When I was a young manager , I was next in line for a promotion . My GM didn ’ t think I had the chops to manage a larger , tougher group so he told me to “ go out there and assert yourself .” When I asked for specifics he said , “ Go yell at someone !” I did it and needless to say it did not work out well for me . What I
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